Colombia holds the tradition of producing the world's finest emeralds. In the 1500, as the Spaniards arrived in the New World, realized that they had a valuable gem resource to exploit. The Muzo and Muisca Indians, the Colombian natives of the northern regions of Bogota', fought fiercely the Spanish Conquistadores to protect their heritage and the location of the emerald mines as well. Nonetheless, The Spaniards took control and began to bring the green gems back to Europe. The rest is history.
Today, Colombia still accounts for more than half of the world's emerald production, and its emeralds are considered the finest.

Early morning on the Avenida Jimenez (the "emerald street") and the emerald market is about to start...  Like in any other gem capital, in Bogotá, emeralds are traded in a particular area, where offices, and cutter shops are located. And like in any other gem capital, stones are traded on the street also. Of course, simulant and synthetics are abundant!

By 10 am, the street is fully animated and the brokers ("comissionistas") are already in action. 

Rafael D.M and R.C. ready to start. No, not really...

R.C. viewing a parcel of emeralds. Brokers will come and go all day long to show their stones to the buyers.

Many of the brokers are women.

Checking emeralds.

Checking emeralds under special loupe.

A fine parcel of emerald crystals.

Checking more emeralds...

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